John Ryan
Environment Reporter
About
John Ryan joined KUOW as its first full-time investigative reporter in 2009 and became its environment reporter in 2018. He focuses on climate change, energy, and the ecosystems of the Puget Sound region. He has also investigated toxic air pollution, landslides, failed cleanups, and money in politics for KUOW.
Over a quarter century as an environmental journalist, John has covered everything from Arctic drilling to Indonesian reef bombing. He has been a reporter at NPR stations in southeast and southwest Alaska (KTOO-Juneau and KUCB-Unalaska) and at the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce.
John’s stories have won multiple national awards for KUOW, including the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi awards for Public Service in Radio Journalism and for Investigative Reporting, national Edward R. Murrow and PMJA/PRNDI awards for coverage of breaking news, and Society of Environmental Journalists awards for in-depth reporting.
John welcomes tips, documents, and feedback. Reach him at jryan@kuow.org or for secure, encrypted communication, he's at heyjohnryan@protonmail.com or 1-401-405-1206 on the Signal messaging app.
Location: Seattle
Languages: English, some Spanish, some Indonesian
Professional Affiliations: SAG-AFTRA union member and former shop steward; Society of Environmental Journalists member and mentor
Stories
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Environment
Beluga whale sighted off Seattle, Tacoma waterfronts
A white whale has been spotted swimming along the Seattle and Tacoma waterfronts. Call it Moby Duwamish.
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Environment
Navy steams ahead with sonar tests despite state opposition, orca impacts
Over the objections of Washington state officials and orca advocates, the U.S. Navy is steaming ahead with a plan for seven more years of testing sonar and explosives off the Northwest coast.
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Environment
The Northwest’s unhealthy new season: smoke
When Kelsey Horne finished college in Tacoma ten years ago, the climate was different. “Fire season wasn't a thing,” she said.
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Environment
Makah Tribe takes big step toward resuming gray whale hunt
The Makah Tribe has gained a victory from a federal judge in its 16-year-quest to resume hunting gray whales.
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Environment
Lapping Mount Rainier to map its withering ice
A specially outfitted plane documented the decline of the biggest collection of glaciers in the lower 48 states. For the first time in six years, Mount Rainier National Park is measuring its glaciers from the air.
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Environment
Climate activists shut down Seattle's Fourth Avenue, two banks
Climate activists shut down Fourth Avenue in downtown Seattle and the downtown branches of two banks on Friday.
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Crime
Officials demand answers after apparent sabotage of oil train
Some legislators are calling for action in the wake of a federal report on the apparent sabotage of an oil train north of Bellingham last year.
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Environment
3 pregnant orcas could boost endangered whales’ numbers
More babies are on the way for the endangered southern resident killer whales.
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Environment
Federal investigation points to ‘possible’ sabotage of oil train in Custer crash
Federal investigators say someone apparently tampered with the brakes and couplers on an oil train before it derailed north of Bellingham.
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Environment
Hidden wireless technology keeps buses moving in this rural Washington town
Washington state has more electric buses than any state except California.